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International MoM Conference Submission Extension & Keynote Announced

WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE SPECIAL GUEST ARTIST & KEYNOTE

We’re thrilled to announce Dyana Gravina as the Special Guest Artist presenter and Keynote at our 20th Anniversary MoM Conference. Dyana Gravina (They/She) is an interdisciplinary artist, curator, birth Doula and activist, mover, and community builder. She is the founding director of Procreate Project and the Mother House Studios, a pioneering arts organisation and artists studios dedicated to (m)others and primary care givers.

Dyana has developed for over a decade curatorial and activist practices that pushes the boundaries of what we showcase, where we showcase it and how people experience it. We are thrilled to welcome her to USF as part of our March ‘FUN, SEX and CRYING OUT LOUD‘ Conference March 14-16 with Art Auction March 18th in partnership with OXH Gallery. More about Dyana here.

-CONFERENCE SUBMISSION DEADLINE EXTENDED-

The MoM Academic Board is pleased to extend the deadline for this year’s conference until December 30th. So if you haven’t submitted yet – there is still time! Art, Abstracts, and Project Proposals are welcome.

This is our 20th year of sharing wisdom, knowledge and friendship at the Annual Academic and Arts MoM Conference. This year’s conference is sponsored by USF St. Pete and will be held on campus in downtown St Petersburg.

Lastings relationships are forged each year as we gather and witness the unfolding of Mother Studies and the associated multi-disciplinary field that has developed around the subject inclusive of all reproductive identities. Join us for ‘Fun, Sex and Crying Out Loud’ in 2025. CFP and Submissions Link.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND MANY BLESSINGS

However you celebrate, whatever you do, whoever you worship or love, MoM believes in you and celebrates your humanity. Our entire team works hard to make MoM’s mission rooted in community, inclusion and well-being an offering that is shared and elevated. Please visit us in the new year. Our hours are posted here and our phone and email are always on. 877-711-6667 (MOMS)

Year-end Giving! Please help us sustain operations, the nonprofit must raise the necessary funds to secure its 2025 budget which will bolster activities, pay operations costs, and help us reach the community that needs us most. Will you donate?

No amount is too small. We understand the challenges of today’s economy, the status of worldwide relations, and how great the need is for so many! Thank you for contributing.

SAVE THE DATE(S)

January 17th Noon. Join us for a Ribbon Cutting of MoM’s Escape Womb Adventure sponsored by the St Pete Chamber of Commerce in our new location at The Factory in Gallery Row. Building 7 Door B. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP please: INFO@MOMmuseum.org 877-711-MOMS (6667). Chamber event listed here.

January 21st 6-7pm in observation of mentoring month. Jim Oliver (The Village Mentor) Co- Author in Repair of The Black Family Anthology. Event Title: “Guiding Hands: Mentorship for Mothers and Families,” Description: Explore how mentorship can empower mothers and families by providing guidance, support, and tools for success. This event highlights the power of shared experiences and community connections to navigate the challenges of parenting. INFO: 727-906-7542 /INFO@MOMmuseum.org

Support MoM Now: First, Local, Herstoric #GivingTuesday

Dear Friend, Ally, Neighbor and Associate –

This year, even in the midst of hurricanes and upheavals, MoM greeted 12,000 visitors locally (and internationally) and finalized work on a new exhibition: ‘MoM’s Escape Womb Experience‘ – exploring conception, gestation and birth (at a time when we need this more than ever).

The Museum of Motherhood is (and has always been) a beacon of love, inspiration, and equity.

The volunteers have all worked hard and achieved some wonderful successes in 2024, with a substantial grant award from Foundation for a Health St Pete and additional grant awards from the St. Pete Arts Alliance and Hypatia Collective.

2025 promises to be another groundbreaking year with MoM’s Art Auction in collaboration with OXH Gallery of Tampa on March 18th, 2025 as well as the 20th Anniversary MoM Academic and Arts Conference sponsored by USF.

But, MoM needs help! In order to sustain operations, the nonprofit must raise the necessary funds to secure its 2025 budget which will bolster activities, pay operations costs, and help us reach the community that needs us most. Will you donate?

We need to raise a minimum of 30K in order to keep our initiatives going from December – August 2025.

It’s hard to ask – but, no amount is too small. We understand the challenges of today’s economy, the status of worldwide relations, and how great the need is for so many

SUPPORT MOM

We believe that in the face of mounting pressure to constrain women’s voices and bodies, the Museum of Motherhood stands as a testimony to the beauty of creation, the power of human spirit, the love of a shared humanity.

We are working on behalf of you every day to implement collaboration and connection as guiding principles. Together we can change the world!

Please consider a donation to our operational campaign, by check, online, or through membership. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

MoM Loves You and Values Your Participation – Because YOU are wonderfully made!

IN THE NEWS

We were thrilled when Bob Eckstein included a chapter about the Museum of Motherhood in his book ‘Footnotes From The Most Fascinating Museums’. In fact, the book is featured on our large wall mural in the new location in Gallery Row at The Factory. But, imagine our surprise when Bob sent us a copy of this recent Reader’s Digest article that boldly mentioned MoM among other fascinating favorites in the USA. Check it out here. Reader’s Digest article with picture and mention of MoM.

ESCAPE WOMB IS OPEN

Our ticketing site for MoM’s Escape Womb Experience is live. The experience is designed to delight visitors with clues and puzzles about the nuances of conception, gestation and birth in a fun and informative environment. This health, wellness and education adventure is a-first-of-its-kind in the world. Open to people age 18 and above (younger with an accompanying parent or guardian) by advance reservation. Tickets can be through our website for up to six people at a time. Or come alone and we’ll place you with a team: https://escapewomb.resova.us/

DON’T FORGET – SUBMIT TO THE MoM CONFERENCE TODAY

Don’t forget! This year is the 20th Anniversary of the Annual Academic & Arts MoM Conference. This year’s theme titled ‘FUN, SEX and CRYING OUT LOUD’ brings levity and depth to the art, research, and auto-ethnographic works related to m/otherhood inclusive of all reproductive identities. This year’s conference is in partnership with USF. Submissions are due by Dec. 15th please. See the full international call for papers! Join Us.

MEET OUR TEAM

Meet our new volunteer! Valentina Blanco is eager to help with the beautiful projects of this organization as she has advocated for women’s rights since she was just a girl. She loves to educate others through art, connection, and community. She looks forwards to working with MoM & Joy at the new museum location at The Factory in Gallery Row. She also anticipates organizing some graphics and social media projects, assisting with MoM’s Escape Womb and whatever else needs to be done during her time each week. See more about Service Learning, volunteer and internship opportunities here.

A MESSAGE ABOUT THE FOUNDER

Pray & Stay as founder Martha Joy Rose undergoes surgery on December 12th at Tampa General after a challenging year of wellness struggles. Rose has been experiencing the long-term side effects of cytoxan chemotherapy, administered thirty years ago for Lupus. The resulting diagnosis of bladder cancer has consolidated the MoM Team into a skilled group of allies who have been managing the day-to-day administration of museum activities since the summer. Rose anticipates returning to management responsibilities in January, but recovery is bound to be cautious and gradual. Please support us during this difficult time.

EASY DONATION LINKS: PAYPAL OR STRIPE TO SUPPORT MOM

SUPPORT MOM

*Blog header graphics include Barbara Lynch, Sierra Clark, Martha Joy Rose and MaMaPaLooZa

Please see our holiday hours and book your trip accordingly. Our schedule is posted online here and updated regularly! Sending lotsa Holiday Love <3

Submit to Be Part of the 20th Anniversary MoM Conference!

As everyone knows, the city of St. Pete has experienced unprecedented hardship due to back to back storms that ravaged our homes and coastline. No one in Tampa Bay or on our team was unaffected. Each of us here in Pinellas County has friends, family members, businesses and personal property that have endured loss of services and in some cases, are even still without power and are uninhabitable.

Between our move in The Factory to a new location in Gallery Row and the other afore-mentioned challenges, our Escape Womb Experience has been delayed. Originally slated for October, the Escape Womb is now opening Sunday, Dec. 1st. .This is a ticketed tour with advance reservations required. Discover the secrets of life as you journey through our Escape Womb from conception to birth! Ticket sales open on November 21st. We hope you’ll go online and pre-book your ticket!

Our main space in Gallery Row at The Factory is open to the public Thursday – Saturday 12-6PM. Sunday is 12-3PM. Free, open, child-friendly play space,

The Museum of Motherhood is calling all scholars, artists, and community members for presentations and papers on the subject of ‘Fun, Sex, & Crying Out Loud’ 14-16, 2025 on campus at USF and onsite at MoM as well as online. The weekend conference will be followed by the MoM Art Auction on March 18, 2025. CFP is LIVE!

This year’s 20th Anniversary theme invites articles and art that support both the interrogation and levity necessary to navigate turbulent times. As well, it supports the subject matter elucidated in the Museum’s 2024-25 new ‘Escape Womb Experience’ and the theme of conception, gestation, and birth. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to experience this one-of-a-kind exhibit.

This international call for papers and projects invites artists, scholars, poets, sociologists, maternal psychologists, philosophers, anthropologists, women’s, sexuality, and gender studies professors, masculinity studies experts, birth-workers, doctors, researchers, students, and lay-people to share their work and tie it to this year’s theme. Works that are inclusive of all identities of birthing folx are encouraged. Deadline for submissions: Dec 15, 2024. [SUBMIT]

HEALTH WELLNESS AND EDUCATION AT MOM

The Health, Wellness and Education Committee at the Museum of Motherhood (MoM) is a dedicated team committed to enhancing the museum’s mission of exploring and celebrating the diverse experiences of being human.

Support Services: Offering assistance & education to those navigating the challenges of motherhood, fatherhood, and family

Program Development: Programs aim to provide enriching and informative experiences that highlight the multifaceted nature of m/otherhood including the Escape Womb Experience.

Community Outreach: The committee actively engage with the local community, schools, and organizations to promote the museum’s resources and offerings.

DO YOU HAVE AN EVENT YOU’D LIKE TO CREATE WITH THIS COMMITTEE? Contact us here!

MoM ART AUCTION

The MoM Executive Board is pleased to present the 2nd MoM Art Auction, taking place (now rescheduled, as part of our Annual MoM Conference) March 18, 2025 from 6-8pm at The Spiral Staircase in Tampa, Florida in partnership with OXH Gallery. This event celebrates the art of motherhood with incredible works in a variety of mediums. Guests can sip bubbly, partake in sumptuous snacks and have the opportunity to bid on pieces of artwork from around the world while participating in the groundbreaking Tampa Bay affair or the HeART! Now part of our 20th anniversary Annual Academic and Arts MoM Conference preceding on March 14-16th. More about the auction here. Updates coming soon.

GIVE OR GET

Locally, ‘Give or Get’ is open for donations during MoM’s regular hours:

–Thursday-Sat 12-6PM

-Sunday 12-3PM

Visit our new location: 2606 Fairfield Ave. S Gallery Row: Building 7 Door B

Donation box inside. Child-friendly. Free play in a safe and educational environment.

Hurricane Recovery Successes & Losses: Moving Forward with MoM

Bent But Not Broken

Thank you for your patience & support as we go through one of the most challenging times we have faced as a team – and as the Museum of Motherhood organization.

We made it out of the hurricane but exist in a community full of obstacles.

Many of our board members, family members, and community members have extensive damage to their homes & jobs. Some homes & lives are lost forever.

While Tampa Bay limps back to basic necessities like water, electricity, and debris removal, our non-profit’s programming & access have been impacted.

Our Report

The MoM Art Auction in collaboration with OXH Gallery has been postponed until the spring with a new date TBD. We will update information here as we have it.

Its not just us – our sponsors are struggling with their own infrastructure while MoM’s promotions and organization of the 25th Annual Academic Conference announcements have been delayed.

We are still setting up our new space in the face of extreme weather.

When Will We Focus On The Ethics of Well-Bring ?

WHAT CAN WE DO?

World focus needs to shift towards sustainability & longer term solutions.

Access, support, and fiscal stability for mothers, families & caregivers in the U.S. is an ongoing social epidemic which must be confronted.

Locally, ‘Give or Get’ is open for donations during MoM’s regular hours:

-Thursday-Sat 12-6PM

-Sunday 12-3PM

Visit our new location: 2606 Fairfield Ave. S Gallery Row: Building 7 Door B

Donation box inside. Child-friendly. Free play.

At MoM We Persist.

We continue because our mission is bigger than the moment.

The Museum of Motherhood team has come together in unprecedented ways. Even as this message reaches you, we are busy building back better ways to reach those in need, those who aspire, and those who are devoted to making the world a brighter, smarter, and more generous place.

BE THE LIGHT (WHEN YOU CAN):

May the peace that surpasses all understanding find you wherever you are.

I continue to embody JOY!

We are with YOU

(Martha JOY Rose)

FB I Insta @museumofmotherhood

The Museum of Motherhood is the first and only exhibition & education center devoted to the art, science, and herstory of women, m/others, and families. We are invested in countering narratives that have kept women less visible. We keep abreast of changing birth technologies and give voice to a mom-made art movement through our actions.

#sustainability